All Charges of Forcible Molestation and False Accusation Found Guilty
Sang Byungheon, a member of the Sejong City Council, is answering reporters' questions after receiving the first trial verdict. Photo by Yonhap News
On July 24 at 2:00 p.m., Sang Byungheon, a member of the Sejong City Council who had forcibly molested a fellow council member and falsely accused another colleague in an attempt to have them criminally punished, was sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial. However, he was not taken into custody in court.
On this day, Judge Lee Mina of the Daejeon District Court Criminal Division 8 sentenced Sang to one year and six months in prison for charges including forcible molestation, and also ordered him to complete 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program. Instead, the court did not take him into custody, determining that there was no risk of evidence destruction or flight, and to provide him an opportunity to compensate the victims.
Judge Lee Mina stated, "The defendant has confessed, and when considering all the submitted evidence, he is found guilty on all charges," adding, "Although he forcibly molested the victim while serving as council chair in August 2022, he did not admit his wrongdoing or show remorse, instead claiming mutual molestation and even making the case public through the media."
She continued, "Sang Byungheon falsely accused the victim of forcible molestation and issued statements suggesting that another victim was mounting a political offensive against him, showing no remorse for his actions. He not only committed the crime of forcible molestation but also perjury, has not been forgiven by the victims, and has shown no sign of remorse, making a severe punishment inevitable."
Prior to the verdict, the prosecution had requested a two-year prison sentence for Sang during the sentencing hearing held on June 26.
At that time, Sang Byungheon stated, "I am sorry for causing a scandal with this disgraceful incident and have reflected deeply and blamed myself," adding, "The difference in compensation amounts is so great that I have not yet been able to reach a settlement, but I will try to do so before sentencing." However, as of now, no settlement has been reached.
Sang Byungheon was indicted for forcibly touching the body of fellow party member A and kissing the lips of another party member B during a dinner and drinking gathering at a Japanese restaurant in Seoul on August 24, 2022. He had strongly denied the charges and contested the indictment, but during the trial, he suddenly admitted to the charges.
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